Not everyone knows it, but Las Vegas is a great starting point for tours on Grand Canyon helicopters.
Flights are scheduled throughout the day, 365 days a year.
After leaving from airstrips scattered around the Vegas area, they head for the West Rim.
It's only a 45-minute chopper flight to get there.
There's an amazing selection.
For example, you can choose one of the air-only Las Vegas helicopters.
They fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and West Rim highlights like:

• The fabulous Grand Canyon Skywalk (nicknamed "the Glass Bridge")
• Hualapai Ranch
• Eagle Point and Guano Point

From start to finish, this flight takes a little over three hours, making it perfect for folks who are short on time or just want to get the flavor of the National Park.
It's also the cheapest of the Vegas to Grand Canyon helicopters, so it's ideal for people on a tight budget.
I love the air-only flight, but I really prefer the landing tours offered by Las Vegas helicopters.
One of the most popular is the tour that lands on the canyon floor, where passengers enjoy a champagne picnic (brunch for morning flights).
But I think the real pick of the litter is the package that lands on the bottom but also adds a float trip down the Colorado River and VIP access to the amazing Glass Bridge.
The horseshoe-shaped Skywalk is a unique structure that delivers breathtaking views.
Some quick facts:

• It's the world's largest all-glass cantilevered bridge
• Each of its glass panels cost about $250,000
• At the apex of the horseshoe, you'll be standing about 4,000 feet above the canyon bottom - 70 feet past the edge of the rim!

Before you book your flight, you'll need to decide which type of chopper you want.
I recommend the EcoStar 130.
Sure, it costs a bit more, but it comes with some really nice advantages:

• Stadium-style seating (all seats face forward)
• A cabin that's 25% larger than the cabins in other aircraft
• Terrific climate control, whether you need heat or air (great for summer flights)
• The smoother ride that its aerodynamic design provides.
  

I never pay extra for the so-called front-seat upgrade.
Here's why: Choppers can only hold six passengers (plus the pilot) and seating is assigned based on weight.
For safety's sake, the weight of all passengers must be distributed equally.
That means your odds of ending up in the front seat are 1 out of 6, whether you pay for the front-seat upgrade or not.
I always wait and see how things end up shaking out.
Each year more than 35 million people travel to Las Vegas, and 5+ million of them head for the Grand Canyon at some point during their trip.
Many of them take tours on Grand Canyon helicopters.
Demand is high, seats are limited, and Las Vegas helicopters often sell out.
That's why I always suggest booking these flights at least a week in advance (two weeks is even better).
Don't wait to book your seats until after you arrive in Vegas.
Even worse, don't wait 'til the day before your desired tour date.
You'll pay more for your tour that way and you probably won't get the flight time you want.
You might not even get a seat at all! My best advice: book your tour online, direct from the tour company - that's where you'll find the best prices.
Avoid buying from a third-party site like Travelocity, Expedia or Priceline, because you'll pay more.
If you buy direct, complete your purchase online so you get the terrific Internet rate!